It takes a lot of determination to stop bullying in high school from having a hugely detrimental effect on your life.

But for Adam Badat, his experience with bullies has been one he has turned on its head to wear as a badge of honour and he is now a multi-award winning bodybuilding champion.

Adam Badat during his school years (left) and now, as an award-winning bodybuilder.

Adam joined the gym aged 16 as a way to kick back against those laughing at his expense.

The 27-year-old said: “I just kept on with the gym during my teen years, using the negativity to fuel the positive change.”

During his high school years and from the age of 14, Adam became extremely insecure.

The Walton-le-Dale resident said: “I was 6ft 2ins and only nine stones. I was a very self-conscious person - I didn’t like eating in front of people and so if nobody else at the table was eating, then I wouldn’t either.My teenage years were filled with comments such as ‘you need to eat more’ and ‘there’s more meat on a sparrows knee cap’.

“Obviously it affected my self-confidence and hindered my development – I was quite a shy person.”

Adam has now set up AK Athletic with his partner Kimberley Grant, from Darwen, who also suffered from the mean words of others during her school years.

Former Lostock Hall Academy pupil Adam said: “We’ve been through all the extremes to establish what works.

“This is to help people who are in the same situation we were when we started out.”